Celebrating the Vernal Equinox
Francine Barone The vernal equinox marks the beginning of Spring, representing the moment when the sun passes directly over the equator. This time of year is known for its many cultural and religious celebrations. For…
Tag Archives: holiday
Luck of the Irish: Folklore and fairies in Rural Ireland
If the month of March has you seeing shamrocks, it might be a good time to brush up on your knowledge of Irish culture. The Rural Irish collection in eHRAF World Cultures is a great…
Laissez les bon temps rouler: Mardi Gras and Cajun Traditions in eHRAF
Mardi Gras has become synonymous with the culture and lifestyle of New Orleans and southern Louisiana. “Fat Tuesday” or mardi gras in French, is the name given to the feast day that marks the onset…
Thanks, but no thanks: Expressions of gratitude in eHRAF World Cultures
During the end-of-year “holiday season” throughout much of the Western world, we are often reminded to be grateful for the things that we have, and even to go out of our way to be gracious…
Towards an Anthropology of Fear: are some things universally terrifying?
As All Hallow’s Eve approaches, it’s once again the time of year for ghastly ghouls, wicked witches and terrifying things that go bump in the night. From haunted houses to headless horsemen, there are many…
Give the gift of eHRAF
Give the gift of cultural knowledge and discovery. For that insatiable researcher in your life, you can gift the tools for cross-cultural research with an Independent Researcher Membership to our award-winning eHRAF World Cultures and…
Marking the New Year around the world
As people throughout much of the Western world mark the end of another year by finalizing their New Year’s resolutions, it is a good time to reflect anthropologically on how others around the globe observe the…
Winter Solstice Celebrations Around the World
The Winter Solstice is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. Marking the longest night and shortest day of the year, the hibernal solstice is an astronomical event that takes place when the Earth reaches its…
Pumpkins around the world
Pumpkins are typically associated with Halloween in the form of carved “jack-o-lanterns” and, especially in the United States, with pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. But around the world, pumpkins have been an important food throughout the…
New Year around the world
As people throughout much of the Western world mark the end of another year by finalizing their New Year’s resolutions, it is a good time to reflect anthropologically on how others around the globe observe the…